As the State Department once again designates Iran as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is planning to meet Iran's foreign minister to talk about the future of Iraq.

But according to Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute, "Talking will not convince the Iranian theocrats to give up their support for terrorism and their feverish quest for nuclear weapons. Quite to the contrary, any such 'dialogue' will only demonstrate America's weakness and encourage the Iranians to sponsor even more terrorism, especially against Americans in Iraq.

"The religious zealots in Iran are committed to a global jihad and will not stop sponsoring terrorism or cease pursuing the weapons that they believe will bring them victory. The only way for the United States and its allies to ensure that Iran will not acquire--or use--nuclear bombs, is to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities and wipe out its hostile regime. This does not mean embarking on an Iraq-like crusade to bring democracy to Iran; it means eliminating the Iranian threat against America.

"The Iranian regime has repeatedly called for 'death to America.' We must take these threats seriously--or risk an attack much more devastating than 9/11."